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DIARY 2009
Welcome to a new gardening
year.
Come and join me for another
season down on the plot.
My aim in the coming year is
to use up as many of my half empty seed packets as possible.
JANUARY
Many seeds can be sown beyond their packet 'use by' date but some
like parsnip are best sown fresh each year. I shall start with onions which are
traditionally sown on Boxing Day but mid-January I think is early enough for
me. The variety is 'Golden Bear' (packet dated July '06); sown in modules,
covered with fine vermiculite in an unheated propergator
in the greenhouse. The light levels are very low this time of the year so any
emerging seedlings will need to be placed where they can grow on without
becoming too leggy. Other seeds I will not be sowing until March in the
greenhouse which I find is early enough and outside on the plot I will wait
till possibly April when the soil has warmed up. Sown too early seeds will only
rot in cold wet soil and there is nothing to be gained by being too hasty.
The New Year has started bitterly cold. I still have a few winter
crops of leeks, swede, sprouts and celeriac to keep me going till the first of
the purple sprouting is ready. Onions and Potatoes in store need to be checked
regularly now for any that are showing signs of rotting. Other than keeping the
plot tidy there is little for me to do now till the weather warms up.
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY
Hampshire Potato Weekend to be held on 24th and 25th January at
Testbourne Community Centre, Whitchurch. For more information tel: 0785 112677 or visit http://potatoday.org
Last
week of the month and with the recent torrential rain the plot is now flooded;
other than taking delivery of some manure I have been unable to get on the plot
at all.
FEBRUARY.
The appalling weather continues now with a thick blanket of snow.
Anyone still concerned about contaminated manure can visit the Dow
web site for more information.
http://www.dowagro.com/uk/manurematters.htm
The second half of the month and the snow has turned to rain;
flooding the plot and most of the Elson site yet again.
. . . 
. . . 
Last week of the month and although water levels have gone down
the plot is still saturated; however I have made a small start in the
greenhouse. Potatoes laid out to chit; 2 of my old
favourites 'Foremost' and 'Desiree', both do well on our soil. Last
year’s onion sets and seed have both germinated well. 'Golden Bear'
seedlings have now been pricked out into modules and I have also sown Cauli 'Snowball', cabbage 'Golden Acre' , leek 'Giant Pot',
lettuce 'Bubbles' (Little Gem type), beetroot 'Bolthardy',
celeriac 'Prinz' and in 3" pots I have sown 5 'Greenshaft' peas to a pot.
A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY : G.A.H.& G.A.
will be holding their annual Spring Gardening Talk on March 3rd. at 7.30 pm at
HEDCA, Coombe Road, Gosport. The topic this time will be 'Preparing for Show'
by Mr. Barry Newman who is a NVS judge. Admission is free to members and
£1.00 to non-members. Light refreshments included and a raffle will be
held. All are very welcome.
Most of the winter crops are coming to an end now but the purple
sprouting is just starting to give me delicious tender spears. I have removed
all the yellowing leaves and given the plants a good strong stake. They should
continue now to crop for the next 2 months or so if harvested regularly.
February ended with me having to make repairs to the shed yet
again after more break-ins. Elson was hit particularly hard this time with 95%
of the sheds done. Many had more than just locks broken but extensive damage
too. The items taken were cultivators and strimmers.
With many new allotment holders erecting new sheds I would urge them not to
keep expensive equipment in them. Take them home, it is a nuisance but not
worth the risk.
MARCH
At last the Tete-a-Tete
daffodils are starting to bloom giving a much needed boost to the plot after the
bleak winter.
However, my soil is still too wet and cold to sow direct so I am
getting under way now in the greenhouse. With the threat of night frosts some
of the more hardier annuals can also be sown under
glass. I'm making a start with Pak Choi and Kohl Rabi sown in modules also
Fennel which although doesn't take kindly to being transplanted I have found in
previous years sown 1 seed per module has fared very well and given me some
excellent bulbs for use in mid-summer onwards. If you are a broad bean fan
these can also been sown now in 3" pots. Tomatoes need some gentle heat
and I have sown all my favourite varieties; with the exception of Ferline F1 all are old seeds. Red Alert, the earliest to
ripen cherry type, Tropical Ruby, Gardeners Delight, Moneymaker,
and Market Wonder the large beefsteak tomato.
On the fruit plot it is a good idea to check any grease bands that
have been applied and remove any debri. Ants in
particular are very clever at making bridges over these. All soft fruit with
the exception to Strawberries will benefit from a top dressing of Sulphate of
Potash now. I have removed all the old debri from the
strawberry beds and lightly forked over between plants.
9th of the month and I have made a start on planting the first of
the potatoes 'Foremost' being my favourite. I now plant with a trowel, taking
out a deep hole about 8" before placing in the tuber. Filling in and
mounding up; then adding a good thick mulch of well rotted
compost. They will not need any more attention now till harvest time when the
first new potatoes should be ready for lifting in mid-June to early July.
I have also sown the first parsnips 'Javlin'
and 'Student in the hope it is not too cold for them to germinate. Both of
these have a use-by-date of '09. Cauli and cabbage
sown in February have both germinated well and I shall be potting these on into
3" pots in the next few days.
The second half of the month and the weather has been just
perfect. I have now finished planting out all the onion sets most of which were
last years and continued with the main crop 'Desiree' potato planting.
(2008 sets)
I am still delaying any more seed sowing in open ground until
April - just in case the weather does turn cold again. This
time last year when the plum trees where in full blossom we had snow; in the meantime
all the beds have been raked down and weed free in readiness. The Purple
Sprouting is producing lots of succulent spears now and needs harvesting
regularly.
Still lots to do in the greenhouse, pricking out and sowing
annuals; the spray chrysanths that I over-wintered
are making good new growth which can be used for cuttings. Take healthy shoots
of about 2" and remove the lower leaves. Dibber them in a tray of moist
compost and put in a shady part of the greenhouse. They will soon root this way.
APRIL
A Date for your Diary: The G.A.H.&G.A
will be holding their AGM on Tuesday 7th at 7.30 pm at HEDCA, Coombe Road. Gosport.
Down on the plot the weather is just perfect to get started with
the first sowings and plantings but beware the nights can still be cold. I have
made a start with the first carrots 'Nantes' and planted out beetroot 'Bolthardy' which was started off in modules. Both to be on
the safe side I have covered with fleece. Peas 'Greenshaft'
which were started off in 3" pots are now ready to be planted out giving
them support with some twiggy branches and covered in netting to protect from
the birds.
On the fruit plot I have removed all the dead debri
from the strawberries, lightly forked the soil between plants and mulched well
with rotted compost.
In the greenhouse there is still plenty to do pricking out and
potting on. In gentle heat now most of the squashes can be sown 2 seeds to a
3" pot.
As well as the purple sprouting I now have some spring cabbage
ready for cutting. Although these do not have solid hearts they are very tasty
and tender lightly cooked.
In my spare time I am topping up the perimeter paths with wood
chippings and have taken delivery of some manure which needs to be put into the
compost bins; hoeing vacant ground will keep the beds weed free before they have
a chance to emerge.
For some early Spring photos of the plot
and how to plant Celeriac click here
The Easter week-end was mainly damp but I have managed to plant
out the cauli 'Snowball', these can be placed about
12" apart to produce small but very good heads in late June/July. Also the
first cabbage 'Golden Acre' again these can be planted about 9" part to
give small but very crisp heads and Pak Choi which is very quick growing will
be ready mid-late May onwards; Kohl Rabi I have given some protection under
fleece to avoid the flea beetle and Fennel until it is well established in case
the nights are cold.
I am still harvesting the Purple Sprouting but now also the first
of the seasons Asparagus and Rhubarb.
With the onset of some over-night showers the weeds will soon
emerge so keep the hoe going; and with the warm damp conditions slugs and
snails will be out in force so use your preferred method of control.
Little was done on the plot the last week of the month as I have
been away visiting.
MAY
One week away from the plot and everything seems to be growing
away so fast now particularly in the greenhouse. Tomatoes are now about
18" tall and need to be planted out. I make sure the plants are well
watered first then take out a deep hole, fill with water and allow to drain before setting in the plants deeply up to their
seed leaves. Filling in and watering well again. I then apply a thick mulch. No more watering should be needed until the
fruit starts to swell. Tie in and remove the side shoots as they grow on all
cordon grown plants but bush plants such as Red Alert need no support or
pinching out but a good layer of straw put round the plants will keep the
fruits clean.
I have also planted out more lettuce Dazzle and Tin Tin both Little Gem types and now as time allows I will be
planting out all the summer bedding. Bizzie Lizzies, French Marigolds, Asters, Rudbekia
etc.
The daffodil foliage has now died down and has been removed to the
compost bin. Purple Sprouting is coming to an end now and will be added to the
compost bin except for the thick stalks which unless can be shredded will not
rot down.
Some of the Autumn sown onion sets are
throwing up seed heads. These can be nipped off; they will still make useable
onions but will not store.
With the warm moist conditions slugs and snails are out in force;
use your own preferred method of control.
On the fruit plot May is the time to be thinking about hanging up
Pheromone Traps in apple and plum trees and ensure any grease bands that have
been applied are free from any debri. Check all soft fuit canes are securely tied in to take the weight of the
coming fruit.
Back in the greenhouse, thinking ahead to the winter crops the
leeks need potting on to 3" pots now and I have made sowings of the first
early sprouts 'Cascade F1' and my favourite 'Brilliant'. Also swede 'Ruby'
which I sow in modules, sowing 2-3 seeds per module then thinning to the
strongest one. I've made a second sowing of french
beans in 3" pots although these can now also been sown outside. I shall
delay sowing runner beans till the end of the month so I am not coping with
both crops as the same time.
A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY - A reminder that
the G.A.H. & G.A. will be holding their annual plant and gardening sundries
sale again this year at the Brockhurst Site, Military
Road on Sunday 17th May between 1000 and 1200. The stores will be open on the
Saturday 16th between 1000 and 1200 to receive any surplus plants or gardening
sundries you may wish to donate.
16th of the month and we are still desperate for some rain; the
high winds are drying the soil making planting difficult but I have set out the
celeriac giving the plants a good soaking first and watering in well. I will
mulch after we have had some rain. Swede which was started off in modules I
have planted now and covered with fleece to protect from the flea beetle. The
foxes are desimating my onions either by digging them
up or chewing the larger ones. I have some spare sets which I have put into
modules in the hope I may just have a late crop to use.
In the greenhouse I have sown lettuce 'Little Gem', purple
sprouting 'Red Arrow' for cropping next March/April, sprouts 'Topline' to use in January also more fennel, kohl rabi and pack choi in modules.
The asparagus is cropping well but again could do with a good
soaking with some rain.
It appears to be the year of the dandelion and our site is no
exception. However colourful they are once they have seeded they become almost
impossible to remove. I have had to resort to using a glysophate
weed killer zapping each plant to make sure it is killed off right to the root.
Spring bank holiday week-end and although we have had some heavy
showers these last few days it hasn't been nearly enough. Anything planted now
needs a thorough soaking and then a good mulch. I have
set out the celeriac and made a start on the first of the leeks 'Pot'; this one
I am growing under fleece again which I have found is the only way to avoid
being attacked by the leek moth late in August. Courgettes and squashes can be
planted out now but it is not too late to sow seed if you haven't already done
so. I am growing just the round yellow courgette 'Floridor'
this year and butternut squash.
On the fruit plot I have had to make some repairs to the raspberry
supports. The high winds and the weight of the canes snapped the posts. I have
now renewed them but sinking the posts into the metal spikes this time for
added strength and support. Strawberries are just starting to turn colour and
should be ripening in the next few days.
Keeping on top of the weeding this time of the year is almost a
full time job. Keep the hoe going on all vacant ground unless the soil is very
dry then it is best left alone to conserve moisture and hand weed.
For some photos of the plot in May and the celeriac planted out click here
JUNE
A glorious start to the month has been very welcome but with it
the endless round of watering again. I try to only water the crops that really need
it such as the peas which are now forming in their pods and need the moisture
to fill out. A good soaking once a week is better than a daily dribble.
Gooseberries are shallow rooted and will benefit from this to.
Runner beans 'White Lady' and 'Scarlet Emperor' are now ready for
planting. I have raised half in plants and will sow the other half direct in
the soil to extend the season. Tomatoes are growing away now and need to be
tied in and their side shoots removed if growing cordons. Bush varieties need
no attention other than a good mulch perhaps of straw to keep the fruits clean.
I am still harvesting asparagus but only for another 2 weeks when I shall leave
the spears to grow on and make the fern. First of the baby beetroot is ready
and the strawberries need to be picked regularly now.
In the greenhouse I have potted on the sprouts and purple
sprouting, pricked out lettuce 'Little Gem' and Pack Choi; sown winter cabbage
'Tundra'. Lettuce germinates better at cooler temperatures so I have delayed making
any more sowings while it is so hot.
7th of the month and the badgers are doing their worst again. My
runner beans have all but a few been dug up and I shall have to re-sow.
Squashes are being targeted too as are the strawberries, plants have been
trampled down but I am managing to pick fruit most days. The few spare cabbages
I had unprotected have had their hearts nibbled. This I think is down to
squirrels. I have planted out more pack choi and kohl
rabi both under fleece as
the flea beatle is still about.
I have now pruned the new growth on the red currants down to 4
leaves and covered with netting and netted one cherry tree. To avoid the black
cherry aphid pinch out the tips. The same applies to apples trees if there are
any signs of greenfly.
The first new potatoes 'Foremost' are ready for lifting. To enjoy
them at their best only lift enough to use each day. I have also harvested the
first carrots and cabbage.
In the greenhouse I have made further sowings in cell trays of
beetroot and kohl rabi.
Last week of the month and I have planted out the sprouts
'Brilliant' and 'Fl Cascade' to crop from the
beginning of October and 'Topline' to crop from late
December onwards. The plants had been potted on to 6" pots making good
sized plants to set out. Planting deeply to their seed
leaves, firming in and watering well before giving a mulch of rotted compost;
covering with netting to protect from the cabbage white butterflies.
The beetroot and kohl rabi
soon germinated and are large enough now to plant out as well.
For photos of the plot at the end of June please click here.
JULY
Before I take a week holiday I have made the final picking of the
peas; removed the pea sticks and laid the plants down. The roots will put back
valuable nitrogen into the soil. They can be cut off and composted or dug in
later. Strawberries have come to the end now and I have given them a good 'hair
cut' with the sheers, they will soon make fresh new growth and runners can then
be pegged down to increase your stock but only do this from healthy plants. All
the soft fruits need harvesting regularly now, raspberries, tayberries,
currents and gooseberries. Cherries are ripening so enjoy them before the birds
do. Do not pull them off the tree, cut with scissors to avoid damaging next
year’s growth buds.
I've planted out 'Minicole' cabbage, and
more beetroot and kohl rabi
from an earlier sowing in modules. The last of the leeks have been set out
where I have harvested the first potatoes. These I have covered with fleece to
protect from the leek moth.
In the greenhouse the purple sprouting is now ready to be potted
on to their final 6" pots before planting out later this month and I have
made one final sowing of beetroot into modules.
17th of the month and needless to say I have come back to find the
weeds taking over which will be my first priority after picking all the soft
fruit which has ripened. The wild life is still causing damage and I have found
most of the figs have disappeared, the consensus of opinion is that it is the the squirrels and I have been given a tip to hang advocado skins in the tree as they are supposed to be
poisonous to squirrels. Grapes need thinning now and the first of the Early
Rivers plums are reading to pick. The new plum tree 'Beauty' is looking good
with bright red fruits.
The remaining fennel is now running to seed and needs removing to
the compost bin and so is the last few kohl rabi as they will be too woody to eat now. Onions I
have eased from the soil with a fork and laid out to ripen in the sun and dug
the last of the second early potatoes 'Foremost'. First of the early tomatoes
'Red Alert' are now ready for picking. I have planted out the Purple Sprouting
and winter cabbage Tundra.
On a piece of vacant ground I have dug a deep trench ready to take
all the spent flowers, cabbage leaves, carrots tops etc. When full this will
then be filled in and will rot down well before next spring and all helps with
retaining moisture on our very dry soil. We have had little or no rain for the
last month or more and everything now does need a good soaking. Hopefully rain
is forecast for this coming week-end.
In the greenhouse I have sown Sweet Williams to flower next May.
Last week of the month has been one of heavy showers, much needed
rain but trying to get the onions ripened and dry outside has been almost impossible.
I have now brought them home to finish off in the greenhouse.
AUGUST
A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY.
The G.A.& G.A. will be holding
their annual Summer Fruit and Vegetable Show on Saturday 15th August. at the Alverstoke Parish Centre.
Anyone with an interest in gardening can enter with classes for children and
adults. Exhibits to be displayed by 11.00 am and
public viewing is from 12.15 pm. Show schedules and entry forms can be obtained
from any allotment site stores. This is designed to be a fun day out for all
the family.
Back on the plot it is still a busy time. Most of the soft fruit
is now coming to an end and all the old fruiting canes need to be cut down to
the ground and the new ones tied in as soon as possible. Cutting out any weak
growth and choosing the strongest. My Early Rivers Plum tree has fruited
exceptionally well but now it is has grown to large
for me to handle and I have decided to have the tree taken down. Most of the
lower branches I have removed and a good friend who has the necessary equipment
will cut the tree down for me. It has cropped very well for the last 18 years
and I am sad to see it go but for an initial £5.00 I think it was money
well spent. The Czar is also very tall now but I am going to do some drastic
pruning and try to retain this one as I think of the two this has the best
flavour.
I have at last picked my first fig which was delicious. 2 of the advacado skins are missing. Fingers crossed I will be
allowed to harvest the remaining fruits. Tomatoes are ripening now and so far
showing no sign of the blight which has plagued us the last couple of years.
Runner Beans are just starting to crop.
I have made a last sowing of carrots under fleece and planted out
more 'Little Gem' lettuce. Cleared away the french
beans which have now finished and made repairs to the raised bed.
2 rows of leeks which I had uncovered have been attacked by the
leek moth and to try and save them I have cut them down to about 4" in the
hope they will regrow and give me usable leeks later on. The plants under
fleece are doing very well.
Last 2 weeks of the month and I am now lifting all main crop
potatoes Desiree and Pink Fir Apple before they show any signs of the Blight;
leaving the tubers in the sun to harden their skins before storing in hessian
sacks. Any that have been damaged should be kept separately and used first.
Make sure all tubers even the tiny ones are removed to avoid having volunteer
plants growing next year. Celeriac now needs to have the lower leaves removed
to encourage the roots to swell. To see how I do this click here
All of the summer vegetables now need to be harvested and kept
well watered regularly to keep them cropping, beans, courgettes, tomatoes,
squash etc. On the fruit plot I am still thining
grapes and
harvesting the Victoria plums and figs. My early fruiting blackberry is
finished and I have cut out the old fruiting canes and tied in the new ones for
next year. There is a heavy crop on the Williams Pear trees so I am now
thinning those to allow the fruits to develop and avoid the branches breaking.
SEPTEMBER
The month has started with some very high strong winds so my first
priority is to ensure all the new fruit canes are
securely tied in while they are still growing to avoid the tips being whipped
off in the winds.
The Victoria plums are coming to an end now so I am starting to do
some pruning before the winter sets in; taking out old and dead wood and
opening up the tree a little to allow the air to circulate more. Grapes still
need some more thinning - a time consuming job but necessary.
I am still harvesting some delicious figs and the Williams pears
are now ripening. These need to be eaten as soon as possible after picking as
they don't keep well.
The last of the main crop potatoes 'Pink Fir Apple' have been
lifted and stored in hessian sacks. Tomatoes are still cropping well and to aid
ripening I have removed most of the lower leaves. Runner beans need picking
daily before they become too large and stringy and to keep them cropping
throughout the month. Squashes need watering well now and my Jack-o-lantern
pumpkins I have removed all but 4 fruits to ripen.
Remember to gather up any rotting vegetation particularly brassica
leaves as these can cause diseases if left lying around.
I have planted out Sweet Williams to flower next May and many of
the summer flowers now are coming to an end and need to be consigned to the
compost heap. Dahlias will continue for another month or so yet if they are
kept dead-headed regularly.
15th of the month and now is the time to be thinking about
planting onion sets to over winter. These will give a crop to use from the
middle of next May. I have given mine a head start by planting first into
modules Senshyu and Radar for white bulbs and Red Barron
for red. These should be ready to plant out by the end of the month.
OCTOBER
A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY
A new venture for The G.A.H. & G. A. will be the 'Pumpkin
& Produce Fayre' to be held on October 31st at the Alverstoke
Parish Centre. The hall will be open for exhibitors at 8.30 am and public
viewing is from 12.15 pm. Show schedules and entry forms are available from
most allotment stores. Sections included this time are Home Baking and
Preserves and a children’s section. Anyone can enter.
Back on the plot we have been enjoying some late summer sunshine
and I have now planted out the onion sets which were started in modules last
month. Spring cabbage can also be planted out this month.
Runner beans have produced a second flush of flowers and need
watering well now to swell the pods if they are to crop before the cold weather
begins. October is also the month for cutting down the asparagus fern, hand
weeding and giving the bed a good mulch.
On the fruit plot, the apples have cropped well this year and the
'Charles Ross' in particular which is a good for eating and cooking, especially
baked. The Conference and Concorde pears are still hard but will need to be
kept an eye on as they can ripen quickly this time of the year. Both will store
well if cut while still firm and with a half inch of stalk still intact but
only store unblemished fruit.
I am now harvesting the first early crop of sprouts 'Brilliant',
'Romanesco' broccoli, 'Minicole' cabbage, carrots,
celeriac, swede and leeks. The parsnips although large enough I will leave till
we have had a good cold snap. They will taste much better then. The Jack-o-Lantern
pumpkins I have left in the sun to harden their skins.
22nd and rather than leave the pumpkins to be trashed like my
Turks Turbans were last year I have brought them home to finish drying in the
greenhouse so they will be ready for the Pumpkin Fayre at the end of the month.
With some welcome rain the ground is now easier to dig and I have
prepared a new strawberry bed adding plenty of rotted compost in readiness for
the new Marshmello plants I have ordered. This is one
of my favourite strawberries and seems to do very well on my soil.
I have removed about half of the lower leaves on the sprouts to
allow the air to circulate; this helps to minimise the black sooty mould
forming.
On as much vacant ground as I can I am adding a good thick layer
of compost.
31st. A very enjoyable day was had by all at the Pumpkin Fayre
with lots of delightful pumpkins carved by children and adults. Cakes and
preserves were well represented as were the very colourful vegetable baskets.
Children dressed in their Halloween costumes and we all enjoyed hot pumpkin
soup. For a selection of photos click here
NOVEMBER.
After a very unusually warm last week in October it has now turned
very wet and windy; however there are still some jobs to be done on the plot.
I have been preparing a new strawberry bed incorporating plenty of
rotted compost in readiness for new plants ordered. 'Marshmello'
a mid-season variety is one of my favourites and does well on my soil. The
asparagus fern can now be cut right down, the bed weeded and given a good mulch. No more figs are likely to fill out and ripen
now so all fruits other than those the size of a pea can be removed. Continue
to tie in all
soft fruit canes to avoid them being snapped off in the winter winds. I have
harvested the last of the Concorde pears and laid them out in trays to finish
ripening.
There
is plenty of maintenance work to be done to. Canes should be cleaned and given
a soak in a bucket of bleach or disinfectant before storing away for the
winter. Any Horticultural fleece without holes can be given a cool wash in the
washing machine and the pegs soaked in a bucket and scrubbed. Tools to should
be cleaned and given a light oiling before storing.
The
second half of the month has been exceptionally wet and it has been impossible
to get on the plot; trying to dig or cultivate very wet soggy soil will do more
harm than good and is best left till conditions improve.
. . . 
. . .
DECEMBER
2009 is ending as it started - under water. The pigeons however,
are enjoying my brussel tops.
December is a month to reflect on the year gone by and to snuggle
up with the new seed catalogues and plan for the new season in 2010.
I have been very pleased with my experiment this year to use up
old packets of seed. With the exception of parsnip which is always advisable to
use fresh seed I have had a very good germination rate for everything else.
Carrots were the only ones slow to germinate and I did have to sow twice for
the early crop but main crop gave excellent results. All the brassicas produced
a100% germination as did the runner and french beans,
peas and tomatoes. I would not hesitate to do this again.
'Pot' leeks grown entirely under fleece from the start have
produced some superb plants and not shown any signs of being attacked by the
leek moth. This is a short fat variety and will stand the winter well.
Still to harvest are parsnips, carrots, celeriac, swede, leeks,
sprouts and cabbage, with purple sprouting to come in the spring. In store I
have butternut squash, potatoes and onions. Onions are not keeping so well this
year and do need to be checked over regularly and removing any that are showing
signs of going soft and rotting.
It now remains for me to wish you all a very Happy Christmas. I
hope you have had plenty of good gardening in 2009 and look forward to doing it
all again in 2010. I shall be back in the New Year as soon as weather
conditions allow.
Many thanks for all your support.
Beryl.
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